The Jianghu is Full of Vests (GL) - Chapter 5

As the sun dipped below the horizon, it was time for dinner. Smoke rose from chimneys across the village, and the willows swayed in the evening breeze. The late afternoon glow bathed the fields and homes, painting a serene and peaceful rural scene.

Fu Peibai and the village children returned from fishing. She carried a basket of their catch, her heart light with joy as she hummed a tune her mother had taught her, walking along the path back home.

When she reached her yard, she saw her mother in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, expertly stirring a dish with a wok spatula, while her father practiced swordplay nearby. Her younger brother clapped in delight, his face full of joy.

Before long, her father, mother, and brother noticed her return. They all turned to her, their faces alight with warm smiles.

“Ah Pei.”

“Ah Pei.”

“Sis!” Her brother shouted happily.

Fu Peibai smiled and was about to walk over to her family when, in an instant, the warm smiles on their faces froze. Thin lines of bl00d appeared at their throats, and before she could react, bl00d gushed out. They collapsed to the ground.

Her younger brother, Fu Jiaxu, was closest. After falling, he reached out an arm toward her, his face twisted in pain, his little mouth trembling. “Ah… ah sis…”

Fu Peibai felt as if her feet were weighed down by lead. Her heart shattered into pieces, and all she could do was helplessly cry out in agony.

“Father! Mother! Jiaxu!”

Nightmare. Endless nightmare…

Fu Peibai jolted awake, her heart pounding like thunder. The herbal house was dark. She reached up and touched her face, her hands damp with sweat.

She stared blankly into the empty space, gasping for air. It took a while before she calmed down and noticed a warm current in her chest. She reached into her robe and pulled out an oval jade pendant. It was surprisingly warm, warmer than the palm of her hand.

She brought the pendant closer, inspecting it in the dim light. Her nostrils flared as she detected a faint scent. She leaned in closer, sniffing gently. A subtle fragrance filled the air, something vaguely familiar. She focused, trying to recall where she had smelled it before, then remembered the white-clad woman who had pulled her from the cellar. She had smelled this scent then too.

It was a very faint fragrance, different from anything Fu Peibai had encountered before—not flowers, nor herbs, but a soft, pleasant scent.

She inhaled a few times, then placed the jade pendant back into her robes. Closing her eyes once more, though her sleep was still restless, at least the nightmare didn’t return. She drifted into a shallow sleep, the first light of morning greeting her when she finally awoke.

By the time she stirred, the sun was high in the sky. She guessed the time and hurried to get up. Sleeping so late in someone else’s house wasn’t proper. When she stepped outside the herbal house, she saw Old Wen sprawled on a straw mat in the main house, snoring loudly. She didn’t want to disturb him.

Her body was sore, but her spirits were much better than the day before. She looked around the yard and saw there was nothing to eat. After washing her face at the well, she went to the market, exchanging the few copper coins she had from yesterday for a couple of steamed buns. When she returned to the yard, Old Wen had already woken up and was stretching in the yard.

Hearing the noise, Old Wen turned around, stared at her freshly washed face, and blinked. “Miss Fu, you’re quite striking, though your face has gotten a bit dark from the sun.”

Fu Peibai pursed her lips and didn’t respond, instead handing him the steamed buns.

Fu Peibai’s parents were both exceptionally good-looking. Her father had sharp brows and bright eyes in his youth, and her mother had a gentle and delicate beauty, like a woman from Jiangnan.

However, Fu Peibai and her younger brother took after their parents in different ways. Fu Peibai had inherited her father’s sharp, masculine features, while her brother resembled their mother, with more delicate and refined looks.

Old Wen noticed that Fu Peibai didn’t seem keen on discussing her appearance, so he didn’t press the matter. He took the steamed bun and ate it, before drawing water from the well. He casually asked, “So, Miss Fu, what are your plans next? Are you staying in Xingyang City, or are you heading to another town?”

Fu Peibai set down the water bowl and answered seriously, “I’m only staying in Xingyang for now. In June, I plan to go to the Jinyun Mountains in Jiangnan to participate in the Tianji Sect’s entrance trial. Until then, I’ll be staying with you, Old Wen.”

“Ah, you’re too polite, just make yourself at home. But…” Old Wen furrowed his brow, “How do you plan to participate in the Tianji Sect’s entrance trial as a woman?”

Fu Peibai looked confused. “What’s wrong with being a woman?”

“The Tianji Sect only accepts male disciples. Didn’t you know that?”

Fu Peibai shook her head, recalling the two women she had seen there before. “But I’ve seen Tianji Sect people, and some of them were women.”

Old Wen thought for a moment, then said, “You must be referring to the Peak Master of Chaoquan Peak and her personal maid. Do you know who they are?”

Fu Peibai shook her head again.

“The Peak Master of Chaoquan Peak is called Lu Yanran. She’s the daughter of the Tianji Sect’s founder, Lu Wencheng. From a young age, she showed exceptional talent and martial skills. Though she’s a woman, her abilities surpass many men, which is why they made an exception to promote her to one of the four Peak Masters.”

Fu Peibai didn’t seem particularly interested in the story. She only wanted to join the sect and learn martial arts. “Then, I’ll just disguise myself as a man and participate in the trial.”

Old Wen shook his head, “No, no, that won’t work. If you’re discovered, it’s a grave crime. At best, you’ll be expelled from the sect, and at worst, your martial arts will be crippled, and you’ll never be able to practice again.”

“I think if you’re determined to learn martial arts, there’s no need to fixate on the Tianji Sect. Sure, it’s the biggest sect in the world, and everyone wants to join, but the trials there are harsh. There are many other sects willing to accept female disciples. Why not choose one of those instead?”

Fu Peibai’s expression darkened as she pondered. She thought of the white-clad woman in the horse stable, gazing down at her like a fairy. The woman’s face was flawless, her voice light and melodious, but the words she spoke were cold and merciless. In that moment, when Fu Peibai thought all hope was lost, the woman had tossed her a jade pendant, giving her a glimmer of hope. Remembering this, Fu Peibai lifted her head, her gaze resolute. “I must go to the Tianji Sect.”

Old Wen stared at her in silence for a moment, before sighing, “This girl, you’re so stubborn.”

“Why? You’re a woman, learning martial arts I can understand. In these chaotic times, it’s good to have some skills to protect yourself. But why take such risks with the Tianji Sect? The trials have three rounds, and those who participate are already formidable fighters. You, with no foundation, will just be flailing around with some hasty, half-baked techniques. Even if you manage to get through the trials, you’ll have to hide your identity and live in constant fear. Every stage will have martial arts assessments. If you fail, you’ll be expelled. Why bother?”

Old Wen went on, then took a big gulp of water, pausing to catch his breath. He thought his words had been forceful enough to convince her.

But Fu Peibai still looked determined, her expression unwavering. “I’m going to the Tianji Sect.”

Old Wen rubbed his forehead in defeat.

Fu Peibai stood up, went to the corner of the yard, and rummaged through the pile of firewood. She found a slender dry branch and stood in the yard, closing her eyes and exhaling. She recalled the martial arts lessons her father had taught her when she was a child.

Shift your weight, steady your legs, sink your energy into the dantian, draw the sword without moving your body, move with the flow, and let your form stay intact…

Old Wen watched in silence, observing the tall, thin girl tirelessly wielding the dry branch with focused intensity. His resolve wavered. After a long pause, he finally sighed deeply. “Miss Fu, since you’re so determined to go to the Tianji Sect, I won’t try to stop you anymore. I can help you disguise yourself as a man, so it’ll be harder for others to figure it out.”

Fu Peibai stopped, her steps light as she rushed over, her eyes full of expectation. “Old Wen, how can we do this?”

Old Wen examined her carefully and said, “You already resemble a man quite well, no need for extra disguises. But your voice, as you grow older, may raise suspicions. Also, there’s…,” he trailed off, his gaze falling on her chest.

“Please, speak freely.”

“With your body maturing, your chest will start developing. You’ll need to hide that. Also, there’s the matter of your monthly cycle.”

Fu Peibai’s face grew a little concerned. “So, Old Wen, do you have any ways to hide these feminine traits?”

“I do, but once you use the method, there’s no going back. Are you sure you’ve thought this through? How will you marry in the future?”

Marry? Fu Peibai froze. She had never considered marriage. Her sole purpose for living was to avenge her family, and once that was accomplished, she planned to quietly disappear. Marriage had never entered her mind.

She shook her head, signaling that it wasn’t important.

Old Wen sighed again, then shared his plan. “I can prepare a medicinal concoction for you. Once you take it, your voice will remain the same, neither distinctly feminine nor masculine. Your chest will stop developing. As for your cycle, if you take the medicine for a month, it will cease. After the first month, you can take it once a month, and it will stop permanently within a year. But your body will suffer some damage. You won’t be able to practice any hot-blooded martial arts, as it will clash with the cold energy in your body, causing you great pain. Remember, this is important.”

He looked at her seriously, his voice heavy, “Lastly, once you take this medicine, you will never be able to have children. Think carefully.”

Fu Peibai didn’t hesitate for a second. She nodded firmly. “I’ve thought it through, Old Wen. I have no regrets.”

“Alright, come inside,” Old Wen said with a resigned sigh.

The two entered the house, and Old Wen took out some paper and ink, quickly writing a list of herbs. “Take this list and go to Deji Hall in the city. Recognize all these herbs, then go to Zhangming Mountain fifteen miles east of the city to gather them. Be sure to pick plenty of each one.”

Fu Peibai took the list and was about to leave when Old Wen stopped her. “Wait, wait. Don’t go today. It’ll take half the day to get there and back. Go tomorrow morning instead.”

Fu Peibai glanced at the sky, agreed, and tucked the list into her robes. She resumed practicing with the dry branch in the yard.

Old Wen leaned against the wall, watching her practice. He made small talk, “You’re still a little clumsy, but you’re quick and agile. You’ve practiced before, haven’t you?”

Fu Peibai slowed her movements and replied, “I practiced with my father when I was eight. Later, I slacked off and stopped.”

“You’ve got the talent. It’s a shame you missed the best age to learn martial arts, but diligence can make up for a lot. You’re mature for your age, with a strong will. I believe you’ll succeed.”

Fu Peibai stopped and bowed respectfully. Her posture already showed signs of becoming a true jianghu practitioner.

“Thank you, Old Wen.”